Patricia Maguire Meservey: College career

Patricia Maguire Meservey knows her way around many Boston-area campuses. She’s received degrees from Boston University and Boston College. She’s held provost positions at Suffolk University and Northeastern University. These days she’s moved to the public side of higher education as president of Salem State College, a position she took last year.

Meservey recently spoke with Business Journal reporter Jesse Noyes about moving from nursing to the administrative side of education, moving to the North Shore and spending time out on a kayak.

You’ve been to a lot of colleges in the area. Do you feel you know the college scene well?

Yes. I do feel I know them quite well.

What makes one want to be a college president?

I would say it was a gradual evolution. I started in nursing and then moved into nursing education. As I had the opportunity to learn more about educational administration, I found I enjoyed it and was good at it. It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to bring this institution to another level of excellence, particularly to be able to serve students who come to our college and being able to connect to the North Shore region and be a resource to the region.

Do you live on the North Shore?

I don’t. My home is in Wayland. I just sold my home, which is very exciting in this day and age.

Where will you move to?

I expect it will be Salem, but we haven’t actually picked a property.

Are you still working as a nurse?

Unfortunately, no. I am still a registered nurse, I still have my license, but I haven’t practiced in many years. I usually respond to that question by saying, “But I’m still a nurse.”

What do you do in your off time?

As a new college president I’ve found that it’s very time-consuming. But I enjoy gardening. I’m a golfer, albeit not a very good one. I enjoy kayaking. It’s a very relaxing activity. I enjoy cooking ­­— not the day-to-day cooking, But when you can have guests over and kick back and prepare something nice, I enjoy that very much.

How did you get into kayaking?

I grew up on Lake Cochituate so I was near the water whether it was in its liquid state or its solid state. I just went from the canoes to the kayak because it was something I could do myself. I just love the fact that you are sitting in the water, just gliding on the water. The sensation is wonderful.

Family?

I have a husband and an adult son.

How did you and your husband meet?

At a wedding. A good friend of mine was marrying a good friend of his.